Fishing Report for May 11: Western Lake Erie walleye fishing drawing crowds

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The weather is still on a bit of a roller coaster ride, with cool northeast winds arriving today that could temper the fishing all around the area. Look for a return to warming temps in a couple of days, and some of the best big water walleye fishing of the spring.

LAKE ERIE

Lake Erie walleye are starting to roam a bit now that the spawning season has wound down, moving to deeper waters to feed. Trolling fishermen around the Western Basin have quickened their speeds to 1.7 to 1.9 knots, and have been picking off trophy walleye.

Finding the pods of post-spawn females has been the key, with anglers focusing on areas around Kelleys Island and off the Niagara Reef complex to the west of the islands. The shallow reef areas are still top spots for walleye anglers casting jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or minnows on the outside edges of the reefs.

Look for drift-and-cast fishing with the popular small spinner rigs, also called mayfly rigs or weapon rigs, all tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler, to begin dominating the action. There are lots of medium-sized walleye in the population this year, and limits of six walleye should be common. The traditional weight-forward spinners will come into play, as well, with the Tom's Tiny Teaser in lemon-lime with a gold blade a favorite.

Yellow perch are starting to show up, with nice schools giving up some jumbos in 30 feet of water east of the Kelleys Island Airport and off the Lakeside area.

STEELHEAD RIVERS AND STREAMS

Remnant fish from the steelhead trout spawning runs in the Northeast Ohio rivers and streams are heading back to Lake Erie, but a few of the big trout can still be found roaming the rivers. Rain is in the forecast, which could foil river fishermen this weekend.

Smallmouth bass are in the spotlight in the lower stretches of the rivers, with tube jigs, in-line spinners and small diving plugs producing strikes. Fly fishermen are also chasing them, casting wooly buggers, streamers and minnow patterns. All bass caught from Lake Erie must be released during the closed season, and in the lower stretches of the tributaries, as well.

The walleye runs on the Sandusky and Maumee rivers are being replaced by a dandy white bass run right now. Big catches of white bass are being reported on small jigs tipped with minnows and worked under a float, as well as in-line spinners and small diving plugs.

LAKES AND PONDS

The walleye and crappie fishing has been good at Pymatuning and Mosquito reservoirs, where the shallow-water fishing has been best. The bass fishing has slowed a bit around the Portage Lakes, but the crappie and bluegill fishing has been fair to good. The water levels are back to normal at Wallace Lake in Berea, where there are plenty of rainbow trout, bass and even the odd coho salmon and brown trout to catch.

FISHING NEWS

The Cleveland Metroparks reminds anglers its annual Spring Children's Fishing Derbies are coming right up on May 19-20. The Saturday action is at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights, followed by the Sunday fishing at Wallace Lake in the Millstream Run Reservation in Berea. The events are free, fish will be stocked at both areas and fishing gear and bait are provided at no cost.

Children 4-8 fish from 9 a.m.-noon at both locations, with kids 9-15 casting from 1-4 p.m. Pre-registration is not needed.

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